NOTE ON FUTURE 15: Future 15 winners were nominated by their peers. A committee of business leaders (none were from The Post-Crescent) rated the nominees and the panel's score was worth 90 percent. The other 10 percent was from voting tallies via postcrescent.com.

I feel honored that the work I do for Affinity ultimately aids in impacting our patients each and every day. Whether I’m working on a large campaign championing our providers or services, designing a space to help our patients to feel at peace, or developing educational materials to inform prep for surgery, it is my job to help create important solutions to best serve our patients’ needs. It is also important to me to stay connected in the small business community, so additionally, I do freelance graphic design. I am passionate about telling the story of local brands and elevating awareness for start-ups. I’m inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit and feel accomplished in being a part of helping a small business strategically build their brand.

Why is it good to be a young professional in the Fox Cities?

Appleton and the Fox Cities are large enough to provide opportunity and culture, but small enough to embrace small-town values. I appreciate its sense of community, diversity of industry, Midwestern work ethic, local history, natural beauty, outdoor recreation, outstanding educational systems, support for the arts, nonprofit impact and last but not least, the cultural phenomenon that is Packers Nation. I feel fulfilled that so early in my career, I am able to leverage my talents in a meaningful way, and drive my passions for community impact. In my opinion, the Fox Valley is the perfect place to find balance in the challenges accompanied with raising a family and building a fulfilling career, which to me, is the most perfect combination a young professional could ask for.

In what ways are you trying to improve our community?

My hope is that the Fox Valley will continue to create progress for a competitive and diverse job market that attracts economic growth and social enrichment, while maintaining our small-town roots that support compassion and giving back to those in need. Promoting a sustainable and forward-focused economy in our region is something that is very important to me, as I see this as the foundation to supporting all other needs in order to appropriately give back to the community in a realistic and sustainable way. In addition to supporting our valuable local nonprofits, I also see the importance of supporting our veterans and overall mental health initiatives, and will undoubtedly continue volunteering my time and personally advocating for these causes, while encouraging others to do the same.

Where do you see yourself professionally a decade from now?

I’m certainly a goal-oriented planner, but I’ve also come to accept that plans change, and that’s OK. Ten years from now, I hope to look back at my portfolio and see all of the positive ways my work has influenced people and our community and look forward to the many opportunities to continue to do the same. I hope to have built an even larger network to include other passionate, like-minded individuals who care about being creative and working together to build something great. I hope to grow to be a better person in so many ways, and to have influenced others to be better versions of themselves as well.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten?

There’s no question that the most influential people in my life have been my parents. My father, specifically, has served not only as a supportive parent, but also a symbol of strength, wise teacher, successful businessman and an unwavering moral compass — an example of the type of person I hope to be. When delivering his father-of-the-bride speech, he shared many wonderful words, and of course, closed with a piece of advice to the bride and groom: remember to focus on the “little things.” I’ve always been a big picture person, moving full-speed ahead, and am thankful everyd ay that I am fortunate to have family that keeps me grounded. I’ve come to learn that focusing on the “little things” truly is the most important lesson, for it’s all of the “little things” that shape us into who we are, how others feel about us, and what eventually develops our personal and professional success, which further, shapes our culture and community — the “big things.”